I completely fell in love with lettered mug centerpieces as soon as I saw these on Style Me Pretty and Elizabeth Anne Designs. The mugs in these weddings are from Anthropologie, which is a bit out of my price range. Turns out that it's really easy to do this yourself!
Step 1: Get some mugs you love! I found lots of great options at discount stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls for $1 - 2 each. If you're a bit craft-challenged like me, get a few extra to practice on.
Step 2: Pick a font you love. Print out the letters you want in the size you want. Leave about an inch around each letter on the page. You will create a stencil out of your letters, so the best fonts are simple and thick.
Step 3: Trace the letters onto contact paper and cut a rectangle around the letter. Again, leave about an inch around each letter.
Step 4: Cut out the inside of the traced letter with a craft knife from the contact paper to make your stencil. For straight lines, run the knife along a ruler to get as straight as possible.
Step 5: Clean the mug surface with alcohol and let dry. Peel away the backing from the contact paper and press onto the mug. Smooth out any bubbles around the letter.
Step 6: Paint over the stencil with enamel paint. You may have to paint on several layers to get a consistent color without streaks. Don't let the paint dry too much before peeling the contact paper off, or some paint may come off with the paper and leave you with jagged edges. After peeling off the contact paper, clean up any smudges with a thin paintbrush or cotton swab.
Let the mugs air dry according the paint package directions, so they'll be dishwasher safe. Add some flowers and you have an instant centerpiece!
I completely fell in love with lettered mug centerpieces as soon as I saw these on Style Me Pretty and Elizabeth Anne Designs. The mugs in these weddings are from Anthropologie, which is a bit out of my price range. Turns out that it's really easy to do this yourself!
These are my DIY mugs:
Materials:
Step 1: Get some mugs you love! I found lots of great options at discount stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls for $1 - 2 each. If you're a bit craft-challenged like me, get a few extra to practice on.
Step 2: Pick a font you love. Print out the letters you want in the size you want. Leave about an inch around each letter on the page. You will create a stencil out of your letters, so the best fonts are simple and thick.
Step 3: Trace the letters onto contact paper and cut a rectangle around the letter. Again, leave about an inch around each letter.
Step 4: Cut out the inside of the traced letter with a craft knife from the contact paper to make your stencil. For straight lines, run the knife along a ruler to get as straight as possible.
Step 5: Clean the mug surface with alcohol and let dry. Peel away the backing from the contact paper and press onto the mug. Smooth out any bubbles around the letter.
Step 6: Paint over the stencil with enamel paint. You may have to paint on several layers to get a consistent color without streaks. Don't let the paint dry too much before peeling the contact paper off, or some paint may come off with the paper and leave you with jagged edges. After peeling off the contact paper, clean up any smudges with a thin paintbrush or cotton swab.
Let the mugs air dry according the paint package directions, so they'll be dishwasher safe. Add some flowers and you have an instant centerpiece!
See the step-by-step pictures on my blog: http://bellsandbouquets.blogspot.com/2010/07/diy-project-hand-painted-mugs.html
posted by clarerichardson 1 year agoThis is so perfect! I was just thinking of painting some mugs for an engagement gift, but had no idea how! I'm going to use their new monogram!
posted by polkadotbridetobe 1 year agoI absolutely LOVE this idea, but how do you make this work on round tables?
posted by DecemberBride11 1 year ago